Leave Your Legacy In Railton Road Design Project
This spring, Urban Growth is joining the InUse-ReUse team for a remarkable project in Brixton which has been commissioned by Lambeth Council.
We will be working with the local community to capture the legacy of Railton Road and Atlantic Road in a street furniture design. We believe that public spaces should reflect the character of an area, but unfortunately, standardised street furniture, such as seating and bike racks, rarely do. As such, we are inviting Brixton residents and other local stakeholders to help us to bring to life the vibrant history of these landmark streets and bring their unique character to the public space.
What Is The Heritage Of Railton Road?
Railton Road has a rich cultural history. Brixton’s melting pot attracted the brightest minds, creative souls, political and social activists throughout the 20th century. Many prominent figures called this area their home.
The home of political historian and journalist CLR James now boasts a blue plaque. The talented singer Winifred Atwell owned a hairdressing salon on the corner of Chaucer and Railton Road. Reggae poetry master Linton Kwesi Johnson has masterfully captured the mood and soul of the road in his pieces.
The spirit of activism, challenging injustice, and promoting equality has been echoing in the community since the mid 20th century. Brixton has welcomed the Windrush generation, withstood 1981 disturbances, and is at the heart of the Black Lives Matter movement in the UK. The political and cultural significance of Railton Road is undeniable.
What Is The Railton Road Design Project?
Lambeth Council initiated the project to improve public spaces on Railton Road and create lively public areas that reflect the rich local heritage and culture.
With the help of the local community, the InUse-ReUse team will design and build seating and cycle parking stands for the street. Staying true to their nature, InUse-ReUse design will be focused on recycling and upcycling while integrating historical and cultural elements to ensure that the street furniture tells a story.
The project will consist of three stages – community outreach in early spring followed by design and production. Skilled workshop facilitators will lead five co-design sessions with the community to produce the final street furniture design.
How Can You Get Involved?
There are two ways you can get involved with this project:
1) Register your interest in participating in a series of five co-design workshops in April and May 2022. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team that will create the final design for the new street furniture. You will be led through the design process by a skilled facilitator. You do not need to have any prior experience. To register, simply click on this link.
2) Tell us what Railton Road means to you by sending us your stories and memories about this street. We want to hear from as many people as possible. We will be sharing these stories with the co-design team to help inspire them. To share your thoughts, click on this link.
If you have any questions about this project, please get in touch with us by emailing: RailtonRoad@inuse-reuse.co.uk or sending a message to: 07395193772